What is wrong with my jaw? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

sunshine2907 · 05-05-2009, 03:48 PM

Over a month ago I went to my orthodontist to get my braces off. About 20 minutes into this, my jaw locked. It wouldn't open more than 35mm, and it still won't. They made me a splint that day. I've been wearing it constantly just like they told me to with no improvement. I went in a week later and they prescribed me 10 days of 2mg of Diazepam, which didn't help either. I went in after 3 1/2 weeks and they told me to continue wearing the splint for another two weeks until my next appointment. That appointment was today, and they told me to keep wearing the splint again. They are going to put a build up on my retainer in two weeks.

The thing that gets me is that they don't know what is wrong with it, so I don't understand how they can know how to fix it. The pain is has spread from only the joint when I'm eating to all along my jaw on that side. The other side is starting to hurt now, too.

Thelma-Louise · 05-05-2009, 04:53 PM

When you say they are going to put a build up on your retainer do you mean they are going to add something to it to open your bite or increase your vertical dimension?

It sounds like a disc slipped or is displaced. Has he taken a tomogram to see how the discs are and where they are positioned? Did you have to open very wide for the braces to be removed? Were you having any pain or discomfort or notice any changes other than teeth moving during your ortho treatment - no popping or clicking or headaches, ear pain?

If the splint and/or adding to your retainer do not help you may want to go to a tmj or neuromuscular dentist for a consult - my concern is that not all orthodontists are fully trained in oral orthopedics - they seem more concerned about aesthetics and how the teeth look - than the underlying jaw bone structure and muscles. It could be once they open your bite up by building up the retainer - if a disc is displaced - it may recapture - and that will be the end of it.

I doubt he doesn't know what the problem is - as he knew enough to add bulk to the retainer - it could be he is unsure as how to proceed though -considering you have just completed treatment and his treatment should have included monitoring the bite and tmjs and discs - or it could be he doesn't want to let on that he knows what may have happened as to not alarm you right now.

In the meantime try not to do any heavy chewing for a while and opt for a softer diet - you may also want to try some warm compresses to your jaw and temple area and watch how you sleep at night - try to sleep with only one pillow or none if possible or use a cervical pillow - but don't sleep propped up as this may strain the jaw further and add to the pain.

sunshine2907 · 05-06-2009, 08:45 PM

I’m not completely sure what they mean about the build up. The assistant who was talking to my mom said they are going to put layers of acrylic on the retainer behind my front teeth to keep my back teeth from touching.

He doesn’t have a tomogram in his office anymore.

Yes, I did have to open pretty wide while they were putting the permanent retainer on my top teeth, which is the last thing they did before it locked. I’ve had really bad clicking on and off for at least three years, and about three minutes before it locked my jaw cracked louder than it ever had before.

He said after they try the splint and the build up they are going to refer me to a specialist.

Before I started treatment he knew I’d had problems with my tmjs in the past. They measured my bite when I told them this and the day I got my braces put on, but didn’t measure it again until it locked. He did mention the possibility of a disc slipping, but I figured he disregarded it when he prescribed me the muscle relaxants. He said he was prescribing them because a muscle spasm could have caused my jaw to lock.

Could sleeping on my stomach with the side of my face on a pillow, supported by my arm do any damage? The assistant also told my to make sure I didn’t rest my face on my hands.

Thelma-Louise · 05-06-2009, 10:31 PM

Under normal conditions you should be able to sleep in any position which makes you comfortable and allows your body to be properly aligned and relaxed. However when problems with the jaw arise it is best to try and sleep on your back and as flat as possible with proper support to the base of your neck and head - keeping your neck properly aligned when laying down will eliminate pressure to the jaw and tmjs. However for some - this position is just not comfortable - so if you sleep on your side or stomach, try to use a flat pillow so your neck is not arched or kinked upward.

I am a bit concerned about the permanent retainer you had placed recently as one member recently noticed that his pain and symptoms improved shortly after his permanent retainer popped off. I am also concerned that this dr does not have a tomogram yet he is treating you blindly - although many dentists do this - its kind of like flying without a net. I do hope at some point he does refer you to a specialist.

sunshine2907 · 05-07-2009, 04:35 AM

I decided to try sleeping on my back last night, I noticed that it did put a lot less pressure on my jaw.

Oh, I guess I should have mentioned that the retainer popped off two days after it was put on.

He has said he is trying to do everything he can to not send me to a specialist; For some reason he is saying the specialist will recommend surgery.

But thank you very much for your input. This situation is getting very frustrating, so it was nice to get someone else's opinion on it.